Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Juice Supervisor

🎯 Role Definition

The Juice Supervisor is a critical leadership position on the front lines of our production operations. This individual serves as the direct link between senior management and the production floor team, taking full ownership of a specific shift or production area. The core purpose of this role is to ensure the safe, efficient, and timely manufacturing of high-quality juice products that meet all company and regulatory standards. The Juice Supervisor champions a culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement, guiding their team through daily challenges and driving performance to meet and exceed key operational targets. This is a hands-on role that requires a strong presence on the production floor, a keen eye for detail, and the ability to lead, motivate, and develop a diverse team of operators.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Senior Production Operator / Machine Operator
Production Team Lead (Food & Beverage)
Quality Control Technician

Advancement To:

Production Manager
Operations Manager
Plant Supervisor

Lateral Moves:

Quality Assurance (QA) Supervisor
Warehouse & Logistics Supervisor

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Directly supervise, mentor, and manage a team of juice production operators, blenders, and packaging staff, fostering a collaborative and high-performance work environment.
Champion and rigorously enforce all workplace safety protocols and regulations (OSHA), conducting regular safety audits and training to maintain a zero-incident culture.
Uphold stringent product quality and food safety standards by ensuring strict adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), HACCP plans, and SQF protocols throughout the entire production cycle.
Develop, manage, and optimize daily and weekly production schedules to meet output targets, carefully considering staffing levels, raw material availability, and equipment capacity.
Actively monitor all stages of the juice production process, from raw material receiving and preparation to batching, blending, pasteurization, filling, and final packaging.
Serve as the first point of contact for operational and mechanical issues on the production floor, leading initial troubleshooting efforts to minimize downtime and resolve problems efficiently.
Design and implement comprehensive training programs for new and existing employees on standard operating procedures (SOPs), specific equipment operation, and critical safety guidelines.
Track, analyze, and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) such as production volume, material yield, product waste, equipment downtime, and labor efficiency, implementing corrective actions as needed.
Collaborate with the supply chain and procurement teams to manage inventory levels of raw materials, ingredients, and packaging supplies, ensuring a seamless and uninterrupted flow to the production lines.
Ensure the accurate and timely completion of all production-related documentation, including batch records, quality control checks, sanitation logs, and employee timekeeping reports.
Identify and lead continuous improvement initiatives using lean manufacturing principles (like 5S, Kaizen) to enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and improve overall operational effectiveness.
Oversee and verify the proper sanitation and cleaning (CIP/COP) of all production equipment and facilities, ensuring strict adherence to the master sanitation schedule and food safety standards.
Work closely and communicate effectively with Quality Assurance, Maintenance, Warehousing, and R&D departments to ensure seamless coordination and alignment on production goals and product specifications.
Conduct regular performance evaluations, provide ongoing constructive feedback, and manage the employee disciplinary process for the production team in accordance with company policy and HR guidance.
Assist in managing the departmental budget by controlling labor costs, minimizing material waste, and optimizing the utilization of all available resources.
Coordinate with the R&D and engineering teams to support production trials and facilitate the successful operational scale-up of new juice products, formulations, or packaging.
Liaise directly with the maintenance department to schedule preventative maintenance activities and address urgent equipment repairs, strategically planning to minimize the impact on production schedules.
Lead formal root cause analysis investigations for any deviations in quality, safety, or production efficiency, implementing effective and sustainable corrective and preventative actions (CAPAs).
Efficiently allocate labor, equipment, and material resources to different production lines or tasks based on the daily production plan and any shifting operational priorities.
Ensure the production facility, processes, and documentation are consistently audit-ready and compliant with all relevant local, state, and federal regulations (e.g., FDA, USDA).
Act as the primary communication hub between the production floor and senior management, effectively communicating operational updates, challenges, team successes, and resource needs.

Secondary Functions

Provide support for ad-hoc data analysis requests from the Quality and Operations teams to investigate production trends or specific deviations.
Contribute insights and feedback to the development of the site's operational excellence strategy and continuous improvement roadmap.
Collaborate with R&D and marketing teams to translate new product concepts into feasible and efficient manufacturing processes on the production floor.
Actively participate in daily production meetings, weekly leadership huddles, and safety committee meetings to drive operational alignment and a proactive culture.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Deep understanding of HACCP principles and food safety management systems.
Proficient knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) within a food-grade environment.
Expertise in production scheduling, planning, and workforce management.
Experience with inventory management software, such as ERP or WMS systems.
Familiarity with GFSI standards like SQF (Safe Quality Food) or BRC.
Competency in Root Cause Analysis and formal problem-solving methodologies.
Working knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement principles (e.g., 5S, Kaizen).
Technical aptitude for the operation of beverage production equipment (e.g., blenders, pasteurizers, fillers, labelers).
Ability to interpret and enforce quality control testing procedures and product specifications.
Strong knowledge of OSHA regulations and workplace safety best practices.
Proficiency in tracking and analyzing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to drive performance.

Soft Skills

Exceptional Leadership and Team Management
Clear, Concise, and Professional Communication (Verbal and Written)
Decisive Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking
Conflict Resolution and De-escalation
Advanced Time Management and Prioritization
Adaptability and Flexibility in a fast-paced environment
Coaching, Mentoring, and Employee Development
Meticulous Attention to Detail and Accuracy

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

Preferred Education:

Associate's or Bachelor's Degree.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Food Science
Operations Management
Business Administration
Industrial Engineering

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

3-5 years of progressive experience in a manufacturing or production environment.

Preferred:

A minimum of 2 years of experience in a supervisory or lead capacity is strongly preferred, ideally within the food, beverage, or dairy industry. Direct experience with liquid processing and high-speed packaging is highly valued.